CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

 

It’s the night of the casino party, being held at one of the biggest exclusive casinos in town. When Pam said Amelia wanted to do something different, like going to the dogs or horses, I threw the idea of a casino at her. They seemed happy enough to start, but the second I told them it was mob themed and everyone had to dress up, they were excited. So I scored some tickets, enough for everyone, and ordered costumes.

What Alison and I didn’t expect was to be invited along. Fortunately, we purchased enough tickets for everyone and a few more since spaces at big events like this are limited. We didn’t want anyone to be left out. After searching all over London, Alison thankfully managed to snag us some last-minute costumes.

“You look fantastic. And so hot,” she gushes when she walks out of the bathroom, looking like a bombshell herself.

In a tight black and red number with a lacey tassel fringe, she looks a million dollars. Her hair is in curls, making the black feathered headband stand out. She has ruby red lipstick and sexy red stilettos higher than I’ve ever seen her wear, finishing the look with a feather boa.

My outfit is a little more daring—a corset dress that’s cutting off my circulation with black tassels at the fringe. My legs are more covered with fishnet tights and plain black stilettos. Unlike Alison, mine are only two inches. I have a dozen white pearls around my neck that vary in different lengths, and a headband with a white feather on the side. It looks great with the quiff I put the top part of my hair in, leaving the rest down in loose waves.

I grab my white feather boa and turn to Alison, a little unsure. “You sure I look okay?”

For some reason, I want to make a good impression with Drake. I want to appear as desirable and sexy as he makes me feel every time he looks at me. I’ve been fretting over it all day.

Part of me is self-conscious because of how revealing the dress is, but the other part is just worried Drake won’t like it. I’ve never had to look good for anyone before, so I’ve found myself putting in a little extra work, hoping it pays off.

“You look incredible, Pagan. I promise.”

“Then why do I feel so bloody nervous?”

“Because of the hot doctor?” She smirks.

I don’t deny it, but I do roll my eyes. “Let’s go,” I say, grabbing my clutch.

We both make our way downstairs, where we join everyone in the foyer waiting for the limo to arrive.

“You all look amazing,” Alison gushes.

“You do,” I agree, eyeing everyone with my own smile. I have a feeling it’s going to be a good night.

“Oh my, you two are beautiful.” Pam beams, pride in her eyes.

Pam, Gabriella and her friends are wearing dresses similar to mine and Alison’s, just different colours. The only one who has something unique is Amelia. She’s wearing all white and it suits her, making her perfectly bronze tan stand out.

The men are handsome―except Aaron, since I’m not looking his way. They all have on striped suits in different colours, Jesse’s matching Amelia.

When I don’t see Drake, I look around the foyer, my mouth waters when I see him on the stairs wearing a black suit with white stripes and a black tie. The black hat with a white band round it makes him even hotter. He’s putting a cigar in his pocket so he doesn’t notice my gaze, giving me free rein to perv on him.

“You really should wipe your chin,” Alison whispers close to my ear.

“Shut up,” I whisper back, smiling when Drake looks up, his gaze meeting mine and stunning me into silence.

Everything around me fades away, leaving just the two of us. The look we share has my body hyperaware of how much I want him, need him. By the look in his eyes, he’s just as affected by our intense moment.

His jaw goes slack, his eyes taking me in and I can’t help but shift on my feet, wondering what he’s thinking right now.

He’s so hot.

“You look stunning,” he tells me when he finally starts to move, walking up to me.

My attention is solely on him, ignoring everyone around us. “So do you. Nice, I mean.” I shake my head at sounding like a total idiot and try again. “You look handsome.” I let out a breath and relax my shoulders.

I can’t take my eyes off him, and he seems to be struggling as well. I’m having the desired effect on him. He has a way of making me feel like the sexiest woman alive, even when I’ve just woken up and resemble Scary Mary.

All day he’s all I’ve been able to think about. It’s been going around in my head over and over, and no matter how many times I try to find reasons why I shouldn’t have some fun with him, I can’t come up with one that’s good enough.

I like him.

It’s as simple as that.

After three weeks, I go home. I’ll just have to pray I don’t grow feelings for him within that time.

“Did you match your outfits?” Aaron asks snidely, breaking our intimate moment.

Turning to him, my face twists in disgust. Dick. “No. I only got my outfit this morning, while he ordered his ages ago.”

“Yeah right,” he chuckles.

“Um, actually, I forgot all about it. Alison picked this up earlier, which is why I’m so late coming down.” Drake shrugs, chuckling sheepishly.

My best friend hears her name and looks at Drake, then me, before winking. She totally had some doing in matching our outfits.

Aaron chuckles. “You’ve got no chance, bro.”

My lip curls and I’m about to ask him why when his phone goes off. Drake just glares at Aaron, seeming two seconds away from wringing his neck.

“What the fuck!” he hisses, staring down at his phone in disgust.

Ada chooses that moment to walk up behind him, looking at the screen. “Oh he’s a big boy, Aaron. You sure you can handle him?”

He snarls. “I don’t know who the hell sent me that alert.”

Not seeming bothered by his clear discomfort, Ada grabs his phone. “I didn’t know men used dildos on each other. Hey, is that in the shower?”

We burst out laughing, Aaron going red as he glares at us. “I didn’t sign up for it. I just keep getting sent best ways to use a dildo.”

“How was the shower tip?” Ada asks, her face serious as she hands him back his phone.

I’m surprised we don’t see steam coming out of his ears as he snatches it and storms off towards Jesse.

I laugh harder once he leaves, then turn to Ada. “How did you do that with a straight face?”

“Yeah, Grams, I’ve drawn blood from biting my lip.”

I pout, turning to Drake. “You poor baby.”

He grins down at me, tapping my nose with his index finger. “Ah, you gonna kiss it better later?”

I blush, then realise how far I’ve leant into Drake and step away. “Ha ha. So, Ada, tell us.”

She shrugs, pulling her hat to the side. Yes, out of all us women, Ada is the only one not in a dress. Instead, she has a suit on with suspenders. She actually looks pretty cool.

“Oh I was too interested in finding out what app you gave him. I never knew you could get a dildo specially made for the shower like that,” she says thoughtfully. “I wonder where you can get one.”

Drake groans, turning green as he shouts, “Grams! No, just no.”

“Come on, everyone, the limo is here,” Adam calls.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Drake mutters, cursing under his breath.

“Come on, you big baby.” I grab his arm and pull him away.

As we walk out of the manor, I hear Aaron betting Jesse that he wins more money and an idea occurs. “We really need to make sure we win more money than him.”

“Don’t look at me, I’m shit at poker.” Drake grins, placing a hand at the bottom of my back.

“No worries,” Alison says, walking up beside us. “I’m a pro. Watch this.” She laughs, calling Aaron’s name.

He turns back, smirking flirtatiously at Alison as his eyes skim over her outfit. “You want to ride next to me?”

Gag! What a sleaze.

She tries to cover her disgust the best she can, but her lip still curls. “No. I want in on your wager with Jesse. Whoever wins the most money gets to keep the others’ winnings too.”

He grins. “And what makes you think you’ll win?”

She shrugs, not seeming bothered. “Someone needs to put you in your place.”

He frowns. “All right, but don’t cry when I take all your money.”

“I won’t be the one crying,” she sings, moving to get in the car.

“Good luck,” Drake says, slapping Aaron on the shoulder.

And he needs all the luck he can get. There’s a reason my family won’t play willingly with her.

 

*** *** ***

 

The place is packed when we arrive. Drake steers us off to the bar while everyone starts looking around, talking amongst themselves. Jesse bailed out of the bet in the limo once he realised he was about to get duped by a girl. Aaron, on the other hand, couldn’t back down, goading Alison the whole journey.

Second mistake he’s made tonight.

I knew why she propositioned him too. She wanted him out of my way so I could enjoy the night without having him coming on to me. I also think she’s cottoned on to the fact that I’m willing to give Drake a try. We’re both willing adults, after all, and share a mutual intense attraction.

And she really is good at poker, so she gets the bonus of wiping Aaron’s smug smirk off his face. Not even my dad or brothers have been able to get the upper hand when it comes to her or Brooke. Every time we have a poker night, it always ends up with the two of them while the rest of us are left to get sloppy drunk.

“What would you like to drink?” Drake asks, grabbing his wallet.

“I’ll get these.” He looks at me like I’ve offended him and I hold my hands up, giving in. “I’ll have a vodka, lime and lemonade.”

He winks and puts in our order before turning back to me. “You really do look beautiful tonight.”

My gaze softens before I fall into him as someone bumps into me from behind. He pulls me to him, eyes searching my face.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my eyes locking on his lips.

“What do you mean you haven’t got sherry,” Ada yells and we pull apart, looking down the bar for her.

Adam and Pam try to calm her down, and eventually she gives in and takes whatever drink she’s offered.

I smile. “She really is a character.”

“She’s up to something. Sherry isn’t her choice of drink—brandy is. Sherry’s what she drinks for a nightcap.”

I look at Ada again and don’t notice anything different. “How do you get all that from what drink she’s chosen?”

“You know the saying ‘brandy makes you randy’?”

I raise my eyebrow and answer slowly. “Yeah.”

“She takes that to a whole new meaning.”

“Ew.” I hit his chest, laughing lightly.

“I’m serious. She’s up to something, and whatever it is, it isn’t going to be good if she has brandy.”

“We’ll keep an eye on her.”

He scoffs and I eye him questioningly. “I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes off you and you expect me to watch out for Grams? You’re crazy.”

“Can’t keep your eyes off me, huh?” I flirt, running my finger down his chest.

His eyes dilate, darkening, and his hand on my hip tightens. “You know what you do to me.”

His rich, deep voice has me wet between the legs. “Why don’t you show me?”

He seems surprised by my bluntness for a second, then smirks devilishly down at me, pulling me even closer.

“It will be my pleasure.”

His head lowers and my heart races, anticipating the kiss, hoping it’s as good as I remember.

“Are you two going to stand around here all night? Come on, Pagan, I need my lucky charm,” Aaron interrupts, and a frustrated growl escapes Drake.

I scoff, wishing we’d left him at the manor.

“And why would we want to watch you lose all night?” Drake grits out, looking annoyed.

“I don’t care what you do. I’m talking to Pagan.”

Drake grins at Aaron and then looks down at me, pulling me to his side. “And what would you like to do?”

“I’d rather watch paint dry than go with you.”

Aaron thinks I’m talking to Drake because he grins, even though my eyes are on him. Drake chuckles.

“Come on, then. I need you, babe.”

“Aaron, I was talking to you. Go away. Drake and I have plans.”

He looks genuinely confused as to why I would have plans with Drake and not him. “Doing what?”

“Something you’re not.” Drake hands me my drink. With one last glance at Aaron, we both leave him standing there looking lost and utterly confused.

I chuckle once we’re out of reach. “He never was the brightest bulb in the box. I don’t know how he became a lawyer. My mum and dad were always sure he’d be a sales rep.”

Chuckling, Drake steers me to some high-tech-looking machines. “Let’s forget about him. How about you and me have our own little bet tonight.”

Intrigued, I eye him up and down, a small smile on my lips. “And what would this bet entail?”

“Whoever wins gets to order the other one around for the day next Saturday.”

“I’m not good with taking orders,” I immediately tell him.

It’s my family’s fault for always giving in to my demands. I was the only girl and they doted on me. But once I started school and tried to join after-school activities, it became clear that I couldn’t follow the rules unless I was the one giving them. Ever since then, I knew my job would consist of me issuing orders.

He doesn’t look surprised. “I can see that. Okay, how about I get to take you out next Saturday?”

“Who says you’re gonna win?” I grin, leaning closer.

He laughs, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “If I do, I get to take you out next Saturday. If you win, you get to do something of your choosing. How’s that?”

I pretend to think about it for a second. Either way I win because I’ll get to spend time with him. “Okay, deal.” I hold my hand out to shake on it, but instead he pulls me in to him. I fall easily, his breath fanning my face as I look up at him.

“I’m going to enjoy winning,” he growls.

If I wasn’t turned on before, I am now.

“And I’ll enjoy either.” I wink and before I know it, I’m leaning up on my toes and kissing him. The kiss deepens and he wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly. I moan into his mouth, loving the feel of his lips on mine.

God, he can kiss.

 

*** *** ***

 

After our heated kiss, Drake and I play roulette. It’s actually pretty straight forward. You place a bet on a number, and on black or red, as many times as you want. Drake went all professional on me, taking his time on what bets to place. Me? I put my money on whatever my index finger picked out.

At first I was winning, my money stash coming up to a hundred quid. But my luck soon ran out, and now Drake is in the lead by four hundred quid.

“I give up. You win,” I pout. I’ve lost another fifty quid, thinking if I bet bigger, I’ll win bigger. No such luck. I only have two-fifty left and he has six-fifty.

His deep chuckle vibrates down my back as he leans over, printing our winnings to collect at the cashier counter. “Come on, let’s go collect.”

Looking at the time, I remind Drake, “The limo is picking us up in twenty minutes. We better round everyone up.”

“Do you ever not work?” he asks, grinning.

“Hmm.” I pretend to think about it. “When I sleep.” But even then I dream about work. It’s always on my mind, wondering if I ordered the right place settings, or booked the DJ. All except for last night, as my mind was preoccupied with the man in front of me. It wouldn’t let me think, let alone dream of anything else.

He kisses the tip of my nose, chuckling. “All right. We’ll go get everyone. I’m dying to see who won the bet.”

It’s my turn to grin. “My money’s on Alison.”

“You need to stop betting your money,” he replies dryly, and I smack his arm.

We collect our winnings and make our way over to the poker tables, noticing a huge crowd surrounding a certain one.

“That has to be them,” Drake says, rising onto his toes to look over people’s heads. “Yeah.”

We push through the crowd to find Alison on one side of the table and Aaron on the other. He’s sweating profusely, his jaw ticking as he stares down at his cards. Alison looks relaxed, grinning widely across the table at Aaron, goading him.

Ah, I do love my best friend. She really knows how to work them till they’re practically pissing their pants.

I step forward, ready to ask how she’s doing, even though the chips piled next her are enough explanation, but Ada stops me.

“Don’t interrupt. Anyone converses with the opponents and they’re automatically disqualified.”

“Why?” I scoff, thinking how ridiculous that is. She’s my friend.

“Because Aaron said Pam and I were telling Alison what cards he had, accusing her of cheating.”

“Were you?” Drake asks, not ashamed to call her out.

“Lord, no. We were just seeing how much she was going to take him for. I was trying to get a cut.”

“How? You’re not playing,” I remind her, giggling.

“I offered to get back at him for the whole arse-pinching incident, but before she could give me an answer, he told everyone to back off.”

“What was Mum doing talking to her?” Drake asks.

Ada rolls her eyes. “Warning her not to negotiate with me.”

A bubble of laughter bursts free and everyone’s eyes land on me. Alison waves, winking at me, and I give her a thumbs up.

“Hey, you’re disqualified,” Aaron shouts. The caller rolls his eyes, leaning back in his tall chair. He seems annoyed as he narrows his eyes on Aaron. Not that I blame him. He’s had to deal with him for however long they’ve been here.

“How? I didn’t talk to her,” Alison growls, leaning forwards on the table.

“She gave you a thumbs up. Probably telling you to play your hand.”

“I can’t even see your cards, you arsehole. I’m over here,” I tell him.

“How about you come sit over here on my lap where I can see you?”

“How about you just finish the game so we can go home?” Drake growls, glaring at Aaron.

Aaron is the one to show his cards first. As soon as he does, Alison stands, screaming in glee. “Read ’em and weep.”

I laugh, seeing she has a full house. Aaron curses, swiping the cards across the table. Ignoring him, I rush over to Alison and hug her. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you. It was worth the miserable four hours I just spent with him.” She grins.

“How much did you win?” Drake asks.

“From a rough calculation, I’d say three grand. I barely touched the hundred I started with.”

I smile, proud of my friend. Drake whistles and nods, seemingly impressed. “Wow.”

“She only won because I took it easy on her. Ain’t that right, babe. I let her win so she could go buy some nice kinky underwear just for me.” Aaron grins.

We all glare at him as Ada mutters something under her breath, walking away.

“Get lost,” Alison tells him, too smug to let him ruin her good mood.

We move away, leaving Aaron to down whatever he’s drinking, and turn to Pam and Adam. “Hey, guys, the limo driver will be outside in five minutes. I’m going to round everyone up and get them to meet you outside. Is that okay?”

“That’s fine. We’ve had such a good time. Thank you for organising this,” Pam gushes, leaning further into Adam.

“Where have you two been all night?” Drake asks.

“We played a few tables, but then I took your mother in the room next door and showed her how to dance,” Adam tells him.

We all smile as a dreamy expression crosses her face before she kisses Adam on the cheek.

“Gross. I’ll help Pagan. Why don’t you get Alison’s winnings with her and make sure that douche doesn’t try to get them back.”

“He wouldn’t,” Alison gasps, clutching her chips closer.

Adam looks to his son, then back to Alison. “Oh he probably will. He’ll most likely challenge you to a drinking game or something. That boy hates losing.”

We watch them lead Alison over to the cashier counter before turning to find everyone else. Before we do, Drake pulls me against him.

“I know what I want to do first next Saturday.”

“And what’s that?” I ask breathlessly.

“Apart from worship your gorgeous body, I’d like to take you somewhere. A surprise.”

My body heats and I continue to gaze at him, hoping I’m doing the right thing by pursuing this.

It can’t last.

It won’t last.

I just have to remind myself of that.

“Okay.” I nod, taking his hand.